A highly critical article suggests that the experts drafting climate adaptation plans should re-evaluate their assumptions about what works and what is likely to collect dust on a shelf as the sea rises.

Mark Gibbs reports on the challenges of adapting to sea level rise as a consequence of climate change. One of the primary problems Gibbs identifies is that many governments are employing a "plan and forget" approach, by which "local communities are given the impression that the risk is being managed, when in fact it is not."

Then there are weaknesses in some of the plans cities are adopting. Gibbs especially calls out the preference of some cities for retreat (i.e., moving buildings and facilities to higher ground) instead of defense. According to Gibbs, retreat is too commonly recommended in climate adaptation plans, though retreat makes little economic or practical sense.

Another of Gibbs's key points is the inherent political risk in coastal adaptation policies. "One of the main risks is when communities end up divided between those wanting a response to the growing risks of coastal flooding, and those more concerned about how their own property values or insurance premiums might be hit in the short-term by such action. For some, the biggest threat is seen to be from sea level rise adaptation policies rather than sea level rise itself."

Planning: A professional practice and an academic study focused on the future of built environments and connected natural environments—from the smallest towns to the largest cities and everything in between.

Planetizen: The independent resource for people passionate about planning and related fields.